Former brickworks site transformation set to be approved

An ambitious transformation of a former brickworks site in Manchester into more than 700 homes has once again been recommended for approval.The plans for Jackson Brickworks, which also include commercial floorspace and a new school, had received a positive recommendation at a meeting in September but were deferred.Manchester City Council planners decided to undertake a visit to “enable members to gain a better understanding of the context of the application site”.The area has been the subject of previous attempts to bring forward the development.Original proposals for the brickworks included an outline application for development comprising up to 500 homes and approximately 37,000 sq ft of floorspace. The application was minded to approve at a committee meeting in October 2014, however a legal agreement was not completed and subsequently no consent was issued.Other residential development proposals were approved in the 1980s and 1990s but also never materialised.The site has been vacant for a number of years and as well as a brickworks it has been used as a waste tip. Due to past use, a council report set to be considered by planners, said there is a “legacy of contamination across the site”, which has been challenging in terms of bringing forward its redevelopment.Planning permission is now sought by applicant Nuvu Investments Ltd for a scheme of 716 homes at the vacant 47-acres Ten Acres Lane site, which is located within the Miles Platting and Newton Heath ward.The hybrid application is split into Phase 1 which is detailed and Phase 2 outline with all matters reserved, except for main points of access.Phase 1 would provide 378 residential units consisting of 244 houses and 134 apartments, with community space including a cafe creating more than 6,000 sq ft of floorspace.The mix of units would be 32, one bedroomed, and 102, two-bedroom apartments, and 59, two-bed, 134 three-bedroom and 51 four-bedroomed houses.Phase 2 would involve the creation of an access from Mitchell Street, with a connection to the detailed phase of development.The second phase seeks approval for the principle of the creation of 338 new homes, together with the new school and sports facilities, including a playing field.The school would be brought forward by LocatED, providing 1,050 school places. LocatED is a government-owned property company, responsible for buying and developing sites for new schools in England.Officials have made a recommendation in a council report that they are ‘minded to approve subject to a legal agreement in respect of a reconciliation clause’.”The proposed scheme offers an opportunity to bring forward a sustainable development of family housing, affordable homes a new school on a site long identified as meeting the needs of the city,” the report added.”The scheme would incorporate public realm in the form of pocket parks, a community park, and landscaping along the canal towpath, together with improved access to the towpath for pedestrian and cyclists.”Manchester City Council’s planning and highways committee will discuss the application at a meeting next Thursday (20 October).